Automatic ribbon lifting and lowering mechanism in identification plate printers

ABSTRACT

A data recorder which has a movable carriage mounted on a bed includes a roller platen supported on the carriage adapted to imprint a form from an embossed card when the carriage is moved across the bed. A continuous web of carbon paper ribbon is positioned intermediate the embossed card and the form to be imprinted, and a ribbon lifting mechanism is provided for lifting the ribbon sufficiently above the bed to facilitate placement of the card thereunder and, subsequently, lowering the ribbon preparatory to receiving a form to be imprinted and before the carriage and the roller platen are actuated for printing.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent lnventor Donald T. Mahoney Willoughby, Ohio Tmmln mo" e o m @e 0.. .lp t VU unmar MDAsJDG 7557405 2333566 9999999 lllllll 5729178 1 36569500 65 2 36 76624500 2029649 222223 00 w n .m r en 8 S d n m. ".0 0 as" C fiww h P0. D. nrn m l n .mm m k t9, u m M 1 O l h i n ms 9m o 9 A. l d" 7 s 7 1 1 9 lt 8 d n w MWdMowN 8 ACC6 0. de N ee d Wewfl Ha AFPA 11]]. 253 2247 .ll[[

Primary Examiner-William B. Penn Attorneys-Russell L. Root and Ray S. Pyle ABSTRACT: A data recorder which has a movable carriage mounted on a bed includes a roller platen supported on the carriage adapted to imprint a form from an embossed card when the carriage is moved across the bed. A continuous web of carbon paper ribbon is positioned intermediate the embossed card and the form to be imprinted, and a ribbon lifting mechanism is provided for lifting the ribbon sufficiently above the bed to facilitate placement of the card thereunder and,

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PATENTEUSEPI 4:971

sum 1. OF 4 INVENTOR. DONALD T M HO Y ATTORNEX PATENTEU SEP1 4m;

SHEET 3 OF 4 INV!'.NT( )R. DONALD T MAuo/vsr ATTORNEY.

PATENTEU SEPI mm 31504351 JNVE'N TOR DO/VALD T/VAHONEY MXQJU A'T TORNE'Y AUTOMATIC RIBBON LIFTING AND LOWERING MECHANISM IN IDENTIFICATION PLATE PRINTERS RELATED CASES This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 660,114, filed Aug. 11, 1967 abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Hand operated printing machines which produce impressions from printing plates of relatively small size have a variety of uses in recording services rendered such as, for example, in oil service stations, banks, department stores and libraries. It is desirable that the imprints be of good quality so that subsequent readout of the information thereon, either by visual or electronic scanning, will not be erroneous. To this end it is essential that the printing plate be properly placed with respect to the path of platen travel and the form or other surface upon which the impression will be made. Moreover, machines of this kind are used numerous times during the course of a day with substantial forces brought into play on each imprint, and hence the machine must be able to withstand a great amount of abuse.

It will be appreciated that to produce imprsssions on paper, cards and the like, it is necessary to provide a source of printing medium. Generally, imprints are obtained by having resort to either a carbon sheet or an ink-impregnated roller platen. There are obvious drawbacks to either system. If a dry platen is to be used with carbon sheets, the operator is required to handle extra sheets, properly placing them for correct imprinting in a time-consuming manner with possible incomplete or erroneous printing. To alleviate this problem, multiple-part forms including both the carbon sheets and the paper to be printed have been provided, but with increased costs. On the other hand, ink-impregnated roller platens suffer from the obvious difficulties of providing and maintaining a wet ink supply at fairly constant inking value. Moreover, the quality of the impression, while adequate and legible for ordinary purposes, does not satisfy the requirements of automatic reading equipment, since the impression must be made through the thickness of the form.

One solution to the problem of providing a high-quality imprint is to equip the machine with a continuous roll of carbon paper ribbon to provide the printing medium and printing upon the form from reverse reading type through the carbon sheet only. Means must be provided, however, to properly interleave the printing plate, inked ribbon and form paper or sheet to be printed so that, upon actuation of the roller platen, the form is imprinted from the printing plate by the type on the printing member acting through the light carbon sheet only.

It is, therefore, a feature of this invention to provide a printing machine which can produce automatically readable results and which may be quickly and easily operated with modest printing costs.

Other objects and features of the invention include incorporating into a printing machine, guides for properly locating the printing plate and form to be printed with respect to the roller platen and ink supply.

It will be appreciated that, in order to roll a platen across an assemblage for the purpose of applying printing impressions through the carbon ribbon only, some means must be provided for getting the printing member or the form sheet undemeath the continuous carbon ribbon.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a hand-operated printing machine with a continuous inked ribbon and a ribbon lifting mechanism for raising the ribbon from the printing surface to permit rapid and convenient insertion of the printing plate or the form under the ribbon.

Since the printing member itself is relatively stiff and easily handled, it is preferred to insert this beneath the ribbon and this has proved feasible with simple, relatively sturdy mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to equip a small printing machine with a fixed flat printing bed, a roller platen movable thereover, a continuous inked ribbon disposed between the roller platen and the bed, guides for properly locating a printing member and form in printing relationship with the bed, roller platen and ribbon, and a ribbon lifting mechanism for raising the ribbon above the bed to permit easy and rapid insertion of the printing plate under the ribbon. It is also an object to provide for automatically lowering the ribbon to printing position, thereby facilitating proper placement of the form or sheet to be printed, and subsequently partially ejecting the printing plate from beneath the ribbon to expedite retrieval thereof.

Another object of the invention is to equip a ribbon-type printing machine with an economical yet rugged ribbon lifting and lowering mechanism of simple construction, assembly and maintenance which will promote smooth and efficient operation of the machine.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section, taken substantially on the line 1-1 of FIG. 2, of a hand operated printing machine embodying a ribbon lifter of the present invention, and showing a form in place above a printing member, and with the ribbon, carriage and roller platen shown in phantom, the printing member being located in position for printing and the ribbon lifter in lowered position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1 but with the form omitted for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a top plan of a portion of the bed of the machine, similar to FIG. 2, but to a larger scale and omitting the platen carriage, with the printing member removed and the ribbon lifter in raised position;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of structural elements of the device of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment employing power drive means to substitute for manual drive operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the accompanying drawings and referring more specifically to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown a hand-operated printing machine 10 embodying the features of this invention.

The machine 10 includes a bed 12 providing a support arranged to afford a top plate 14 having a planar upper surface of generally rectangular outline as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A generally centrally located portion of the top plate is adapted to receive and retain thereon an embossed card or printing plate P (FIGS. 1 and 2). For this purpose the top plate is provided with a pair of card retaining strips 20 mounted thereon terminating in aligned shoulder portions 22 for abutment with one edge of a card P. The shoulders are undercut so that a tapered lip 24 extends over and secures card P as will be explained hereinafter. The retaining strips 20 support upwardly projecting guides 26 to aid in the placement of and assure proper endwise positioning of the card P as will be apparent from the following description.

An additional feature for facilitating card insertion and placement is a finger recess 28 located in the bed 12 between the retaining strips so that an operator may deftly position the card without relinquishing it and without permitting the ribbon ink to come into contact with the operators hand.

Slidable over and along the bed is a carriage C and associated roller platen D which rolls in pressure relationship with the card P. interposed between the card and the roller platen is an inked ribbon R which may be held and advanced by any suitable ribbon winding means (not shown), and which will deposit ink on forms or sheets, placed on the upper surface of the ribbon, to be printed in response to the platen pressure and the embossures on the card P. It will be understood that any conventional locating gauges may be provided for properly locating the forms with respect to the type on the card P.

This invention is directed to mechanism for lifting the ribbon sufficiently above the bed to facilitate easy placement of the card thereunder and subsequently lowering the ribbon preparatory to receiving forms to be printed, and before the carriage and the platen are actuated for printing.

To this end, top plate 14 is provided with two "-shaped openings 29, 32 bordering the card receiving surface and having parallel elongate open sections 30, 33 disposed just beyond the guides 26, and aligned open sections 31, 34 disposed parallel to the shoulder portions 22 of the card retaining strips 20. Top plate 14 is provided on the under surface with shouldered studs 36 and nuts 37 reciprocably mounting thereon an ejector plate 40 having flange portions 42 bent upwardly, normal to the surface of the card and protruding through the openings 31, 34, and extending above the upper surface of the bed to provide a movable abutment for the card P opposite the retaining strip shoulders 22. The flanges are each provided with an end 44 bent normal to the flanges and parallel to the card thereby providing, in conjunction with the lips 24, retention of the card P after the same has been positioned on the bed for printing. It will be noted, also, that the flanges 42 are each supported on the ejector plate 40 by elongate flexible spring arms 43 (FIGS. 3 and which insures that the flanges will readily depress to a harmless position as the platen passes over them.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the ejector plate 40 has slots 46 corresponding in width to the larger diameter of the studs 36 which limit movement of the ejector plate 40 relative to the bed to reciprocation transversely of the direction of carriage and ribbon movement, and in line with the direction of card insertion.

Depending from the ejector plate 40, remote from the flanges 42, is a tab 48 apertured at 50 for attachment to ejector biasing means as will become apparent from the following description. The ejector plate 40 is also provided with a pair of downwardly directed spaced apart legs 52 lying in parallel planes and having therein aligned notches 54 for cooperation with ribbon lifting apparatus as will be described hereinafter.

In addition to the ejector plate 40 which is slidably retained against the top plate, studs 36 mount a hinge plate 56 (shown in detail in FIG. 6) in fixed uniformly spaced relationship to the top plate by means of suitable holes 58 in said hinge plate fitting the reduced diameter of the studs. The side of the hinge plate 56 remote from the mounting holes 58 is recessed as at 60 terminating in a centrally disposed downwardly directed tab 62, apertured at 64 as shown in FIG. 6. The recess 60 is flanked by short side portions 66 having axially aligned arcuately shaped flaps 68. Openings 69 in the hinge plate 56 are aligned with the spring arms 43 of ejector plate 40 so as to provide for their lowering movement when required.

As is apparently by reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6, the ejector plate 40 is slidably sandwiched between the top plate 14 and the hinge plate 56 and is so proportioned that the central portion of the hinge plate is disposed between the tab 48 and the legs 52 of the ejector plate, and the legs 52 of the ejector plate reside generally within the recess 60 of the hinge plate.

Associated with the ejector and the hinge plates, and rockably associated with the notches 54 and the flaps 68, is a ribbon bar or lifter 70 formed of a bent rod having a central crank section 72 disposed in the ejector plate notches 54, and pintle sections 74 retained by the hinge plate flaps 68 against the bottom surface of the top plate 14. The ends of the lifter are bent transversely to the crank section and pintle sections to form arms 76 which are positioned to extend through the openings 30, 33 in the top plate 14 and into lifting engagement with the ribbon R as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As .will be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the ejector plate 40 may be reciprocated with respect to the top plate 14 and the hinge plate flaps 68 from a generally superimposed position shown in FIG. 4, wherein the arms 76 engage and lift the ribbon R above the bed, to a rearwardly shifted position (FIG. I) wherein the crank section 72 is rotated clockwise about the axis of the pintle sections 74, thereby lowering the arms 76 out of lifting engagement with the ribbon preparatory to printing actuation of the carriage and the roller platen.

Attached to the aperture 50 of the ejector plate tab 48 and the aperture 64 of the hinge plate 62 is a tension spring 80 which tends to bias the ejector plate towards the right as viewed in FIGS. l, 3 and 4. As may be seen by inspection, biasing of the ejector plate by the spring 80 urges the upright flanges 42 towards the card retaining strips 20 and the guides 26.

Accordingly, in operation, insertion of a printing plate or an embossed card P under the uplifted ribbon R and into contact with the flanges 42, displaces the ejector piate against the ten sion of the spring 80, permitting the placement of the card between the flanges 42 and the retaining shoulder portions 22, to be further removably secured thereat by the lips 24 and the flange ends 44; and further causing the ribbon to be lowered into printing position through downward actuation of the lifter 70 to the FIG. 1 position.

Thereafter, a desired form to be printed, such as the form F, FIG. 1, may be placed upon the ribbon, and the carriage with associated platen moved along the bed to perform a printing operation. After the printing operation, the operator merely inserts his fingers into the recess 28 under the protruding edge of the card P and lifts the card free of the shoulder portions 22 and the lip 24; whereupon, the ejector plate 40, under the force of the spring 80, snaps into normal superimposed position causing the lifter 70 to raise the ribbon R and causing the flanges 42 to move toward the right to eject the card towards the operator. The lifter 70, of course, remains in this position and holds the ribbon in the FIG. 4 position ready to receive another card.

Because manual operation by driving flange 42 with a card being inserted, may be objectionabie if the printing member is excessively thin, or for other reasons, a power drive means is provided in addition to, or in place of, manual drive means.

The power drive means comprises a switch having an actuation finger 102 projecting through a slot in the top plate 14. Whenever a printing member is placed on the top plate, the switch 100 will be actuated.

A solenoid 105, controlled by switch 100, is connected to plate 40 by a standard 106, and pulls plate 40 when energized, in the manner described for actuation by driving flange 42.

The electrical circuitry is not illustrated, because such circuit is very simple and well within the skill of the artisan.

The circuit may include a switch actuated by the carriage C for releasing the solenoid 105 at the end of the printing stroke. Then the flange portions 42 will act under the drive of spring 80, which is a biasing means. The tendency will be to eject the printing member from the support area. Upon release of the printing means from the restraining action of the shoulder portions 22, the printing member will be ejected for operator convenience.

Note that the FIG. 7 embodiment will permit manual drive means operation if the power drive means is inoperative, such as by not being accessible to a source of power.

What is claimed is:

1 In a printing machine having a bed including a support area for holding a printing member bearing raised indicia corresponding to data to be printed on a form disposed over the printing member;

an inked ribbon disposed over the bed for depositing an ink image on the form corresponding to the data on the printing member;

a platen movable against the ribbon into printing relation with the support area and the printing member thereon to perform a printing cycle, the improvement comprising:

a ribbon lifting means supported on the bed underlying the support area comprising movable arms, arranged one at each end of the support area, to engage that surface of the ribbon which is adjacent to the support area, said arms being connected for conjoint operation; and

drive means for moving the connected arms between a lowered position and a raised position in which the connected arms engage the ribbon and lift it above the support area, said drive means responsive to placement of the printing member on the support area for moving the connected arms to the lowered position, and responsive to removal of the printing member from the support area for moving the connected arms to the raised position,

whereby when the connected arms are in the raised position that portion of the ribbon which overlies the support area is lifted above the support area to enable placement of the printing member between the support area and the ribbon.

2. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes biasing means for normally retaining the connected arms in ribbon lifting position.

3. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes ejector means positioned for contact and displacement by a printing member inserted into the support area;

biasing means for normally retaining the connected arms in ribbon lifting position;

said ejector means imparting said motion to lower the connected arms in opposition to the biasing means, and said ejector means acting under urge of the biasing means to urge a printing member from the support area.

4. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes ejector means positioned for contact and displacement by a printing member inserted into the support area;

said ejector means movable relative to the support area and the ribbon lifting means between a first position wherein a portion thereof projects into the path of the printing member prior to placement of the printing member on the support area, and a second position determined by contact between said printing member and said projecting portion in response to placement of the printing member on the support area,.said ejector means being operative to withdraw the ribbon lifting means from engagement with the ribbon in response to movement of the ejector means from said first to said second position.

5. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes ejector means positioned for contact and displacement by a printing member inserted into the support area;

biasing means for normally retaining the connected arms in ribbon lifting position;

said ejector means movable relative to the support area and the ribbon lifting means between a first position wherein a portion thereof projects into the path of the printing member prior to placement of the printing member on the support area, and a second position determined by contact between said printing member and said projecting portion in response to placement of the printing member on the support area;

said ejector means connected for imparting motion to lower the connected arms in op osition to the biasing means when contacted and disp aced from the first to said second position, and said biasing means urging the ejector means from the second position to the first position upon removal of the printing member from the support area, thereby moving the ribbon lifting means to ribbon lifting position in engagement with the ribbon.

6. A printing machine as set forth in claim 5 which also includes shoulder means so located that a portion of the printing member may be lodged thereagainst with the printing member in printing position to retain the printing member against ejection and the arms in lowered position during the printing motion of the platen, whereby in response to release of the printing member from the shoulder means the projecting portion and the biasing means are effective to at least partially eject the printing member from under the ribbon. 

1. In a printing machine having a bed including a support area for holding a printing member bearing raised indicia corresponding to data to be printed on a form disposed over the printing member; an inked ribbon disposed over the bed for depositing an ink image on the form corresponding to the data on the printing member; a platen movable against the ribbon into printing relation with the support area and the printing member thereon to perform a printing cycle, the improvement comprising: a ribbon lifting means supported on the bed underlying the support area comprising movable arms, arranged one at each end of the support area, to engage that surface of the ribbon which is adjacent to the support area, said arms being connected for conjoint operation; and drive means for moving the connected arms between a lowered position and a raised position in which the connected arms engage the ribbon and lift it above the support area, said drive means responsive to placement of the printing member on the support area for moving the connected arms to the lowered position, and responsive to removal of the printing member from the support area for moving the connected arms to the raised position, whereby when the connected arms are in the raised position that portion of the ribbon which overlies the support area is lifted above the support area to enable placement of the printing member between the support area and the ribbon.
 2. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes biasing means for normally retaining the connected arms in ribbon lifting position.
 3. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes ejector means positioned for contact and displacement by a printing member inserted into the support area; biasing means for normally retaining the connected arms in ribbon lifting position; said ejector means imparting said motion to lower the connected arms in opposition to the biasing means, and said ejector means acting under urge of the biasing means to urge a printing member from the support area.
 4. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes ejector means positioned for contact and displacement by a printing member inserted into the support area; said ejector means movable relative to the support area and the ribbon lifting means between a first position wherein a portion thereof projects into the path of the printing member prior to placement of the printing member on the support area, and a second position determined by contact between said printing member and said projecting portion in response to placement of the printing member on the support area, said ejector means being operative to withdraw the ribbon lifting means from engagement with the ribbon in response to movement of the ejector means from said first to said second position.
 5. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which the drive means includes ejector means positioned for contact and displacement by a printing member inserted into the support area; biasing means for normally retaining the connected arms in ribbon lifting position; said ejector means movable relative to the support area and the ribbon lifting means between a first position wherein a portion thereof projects into the path of the printing member prior to placement of the printing member on the support area, and a second position determined by contact between said printing member and said projecting portion in response to placement of the printing member on the support area; said ejector means connected for imparting motion to lower the connected arms in opposition to the biasing means when contacted and displaced from the first to said second position, and said biasing means urging the ejector means from the second position to the first position upon removal of the printing member from the support area, thereby moving the ribbon lifting means to ribbon lifting position in engagement with the ribbon.
 6. A printing machine as set forth in claim 5 which also includes shoulder means so located that a portion of the printing member may be lodged thereagainst with the printing member in printing position to retain the printing member against ejection and the arms in lowered position during the printing motion of the platen, whereby in response to release of the printing member from the shoulder means the projecting portion and the biasing means are effective to at least partially eject the printing member from under the ribbon. 